How to Rebuild a Kitchen Faucet

Rebuild an old kitchen faucet to improve performance.

Rebuilding a kitchen faucet is necessary when the faucet leaks or doesn't perform like it used to. When temperature or flow rates are inconsistent, and small leaks come from the handles, it is often a sign the cartridge inside the handle is broken or worn out. The method for rebuilding a kitchen faucet is basically the same on all modern faucets. It requires no plumbing skills, but general handyman skills will help.

Things You'll Need

• Allen wrench
• Pliers
• Cartridge kit

Instructions

1. Turn the water to the faucet off.

2. Remove the set screw in the base of the handle with an Allen wrench and pull the handle off the faucet.

3. Remove the cap and adjusting ring (in ball-style faucets) and take off the cam and packing and then remove the ball valve and seat springs inside the faucet head. If there is no adjusting ring, you have a cartridge faucet. Remove the cartridge retaining nut or bonnet, unscrew the cartridge screws with an Allen wrench and slide the cartridge out.

4. Replace the seat springs by pressing them into the holes in the faucet head, and insert a new ball valve, if this is a ball-valve faucet, replace and tighten the cap and adjusting ring. For cartridge faucets, simply slide a new cartridge into the faucet head and replace the screws and tighten with the Allen wrench. Reinstall the bonnet and tighten.

5. Replace the handle and attach it with the set screw, tightening the screw with the Allen wrench.

References

• The Family Handyman: How to Repair Kitchen Faucets

Resources

• This Old House: How to Repair a Dripping Two-Handled Stem Faucet